Reader575, Fitz is definitely walking into the lion's den. Dakidd, glad you're enjoying the story. Tamarral, you crack me up. What do you mean Charlie acts black? He is, by the way. Bujuman, a lot of pomp and circumstance just for a city council race. But goes to show you how cut-throat local politics can be. Justbecauseican43, you summed up what I have been attempting to do without losing the magic of these two. LaJoyMechell, Charlie, like many, doesn't want to take responsibility for not accomplishing their goals, but chooses to blame others. Kkimberly49, they have a lot going on and need a break. Fitz is all about protecting his family from any kind of harm. Over the next few chapters we'll begin to see how that plays out. They both have to see this Marla thing from the other's perspective. Remember what Dr. Brennan told Olivia a few chapters back about not writing off someone who has disappointed her. Thanks all for the reviews and follows. Here we go!
Chapter 29. A Real Princess
Thursday
Shortly after Jolie was born Fitz and Olivia drove into the city to meet with Ebony Cartwright, the director of the New Freedom Modern Dance School, to discuss enrolling Cena into the children's dance program. Olivia thought dance class is exactly what their bouncy four year old needed to channel her seemingly unlimited energy and help her to develop better coordination. Olivia also wanted their older daughter to have something that was all her own – something she did not have to share with her new baby sister.
During the meeting with the anxious parents, Miss Cartwright explained Modern dance is a safe way for Cena to start to learn how to dance and improve her coordination. She explained Modern dance moves are all designed to encourage freedom of movement and personal interpretation. With this understanding of Modern dance, and Miss Cartwright's obvious love for teaching young children how to dance and move their bodies, Olivia and Fitz decided New Freedom was the place for their daughter.
With legs crossed, Fitz sits on the hard, metal folding chair in the corner of the dance studio watching his daughter and the five other little girls emulate the routine Miss Cartwright is choreographing in the middle of the room. He smiles as he reflects on his princess' early days in dance class and thinks how much her coordination and confidence have increased over the past few months. His attention is immediately pulled away from enjoying the sight of his little girl prancing around the room when his phone beeps, notifying him some activity has occurred on his account. Looking at his screen, he realizes he has missed a lot when he sees the red eight on top of the Facebook icon. He taps on the icon and begins to reading the latest posts and news stories. Fifteen minutes later he is jolted from his news feed when he hears Miss Cartwright's staff thumping hard on the tile floor.
"Okay girls, that's it for today. I will see you all back here next week."
The girls giggle as they scatter around the studio.
"And Cena, have a happy birthday."
"Thank you Miss Ebony", Cena calls over her shoulder as she pulls Asha by the hand to where her father is sitting."
"Daddy, daddy. My friend Asha is coming to my birthday party", she says excitedly as he slides the phone into his jacket pocket.
Fitz smiles at the little girl with the cocoa-colored skin, huge eyes, and long eyelashes adult woman pay good money for at the beauty supply store.
"I know, sweetheart. Hello, Asha", Fitz smiles at the little girl.
"Hi", Asha says shyly, holding on tightly to Cena's hand.
"And we're going to have cake. Right, daddy?"
"Right", Fitz nods in agreement.
"And ice cream, too. Right, daddy?" Nodding her head quickly, encouraging her father to confirm her claim.
"Right, sweetheart."
"And we can swim, too. Right, daddy?"
"If it's warm enough."
"We can swim if it's warm enough, Asha", Cena reports to her friend who clearly heard what Mr. Grant said.
"Put on your shoes, Cena, so we can get going. Mommy is waiting for us at home."
Holding hands, Cena and Asha run across the studio to collect their bag and put on their shoes. While the girls are gathering their belongings, Fitz walks over to the dance teacher to remind her that Cena will not be in class for the next two weeks.
"Miss Cartwright", he says with a smile, as dance teacher puts away the mats.
"Oh, hello Mr. Grant", looking up with a smile as she adjusts the strap on her African print crop top. "Cena is coming along nicely. She is more comfortable expressing herself in dance. She's come a long way."
"She has", Fitz says proudly. "All thanks to you."
"Well Cena is motivated. I couldn't give her that."
"That she is. Miss Cartwright, I wanted to remind you Cena will not be in class for the next two Thursdays - we'll be on vacation."
"Yes, I remember, Mr. Grant. And that's fine - Cena knows to practice our routine while she is away. We have our Christmas program in a few weeks."
Fitz smiles and nods, thinking about how his daughter spins around their family room practicing her dance moves.
"Well, good night, Miss Cartwright."
"Good night, Mr. Grant. And Mr. Grant, congratulations on winning the election", she says with a smile.
"Thank you", turning and walking over to where Cena and Asha are sitting on the chairs in front of the large plate glass window.
"Let's go, Princess."
"Bye Cena", the shy little girl says, waiting for her mother to come from work and take her home.
"Bye Asha", Cena says, waving and smiling brightly.
"Bye Asha", Fitz says, waving at the wide-eyed little girl.
Fitz holds Cena's hand as they walk out of the dance school and down the street to the garage where he parked the car. The last time he parked in that garage somebody scraped the paint on the passenger side of his car.
"Look daddy", Cena yells, stopping abruptly and pointing to the little girl mannequin in the store window. "She looks like me, daddy."
Fitz looks at the mannequin who is wearing a red leather jacket, white tee shirt, jeans rolled to her ankles, and a pair of white Keds sneakers.
"She kind of does look like my Biker Princess", he says with a smile.
"She has sunglasses like yours daddy", smiling up at her father. "Can I have them, daddy? Pleeeease?" Yanking her father's hand and trying to pull him toward the store.
Fitz looks at his watch then back at his daughter's pleading face.
"Okay, let's go inside and take a look at them. We can't stay long because mommy is waiting for us."
"Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?" The young clerk standing behind the counter greets him with a smile.
"May I see a pair of sunglasses like the ones the little girl in the window is wearing?"
"Of course sir, but that's the last pair we have left - they're quite popular", the clerk smiles and walks to the window display to remove the sunglasses from the mannequin. "Here you go sir", handing Fitz the sunglasses.
"Try these on Princess", sliding the sunglasses onto his daughter's smiling face.
"Look in the mirror and see how you look", the clerk says, lifting the large round mirror from the counter and holding it in front of Cena's beaming face.
"They're cool, daddy", Cena say excitedly.
"They are, Princess", sliding them from here face.
"May I have them, daddy? Please, please, please?"
"They're the last pair, sir", the clerk says, helping the little girl to convince her father.
"Okay, we'll take them", handing them back to the young woman.
"Yay", Cena squeals, clamping her hands to the sides of her face before taking off running to the back of the store to play on the giant slide.
"Don't touch anything Cena", he yells to the little girl, who has already made it to the back of the store where the huge slide is on display.
"Your daughter is absolutely beautiful Mr. Grant", the clerk says, watching Cena run to the back of the store. Fitz looks at the young woman inquisitively, wondering how she knows his name.
"I follow you on Facebook and Twitter, sir. I also voted for you."
"Thank you", smiling politely, realizing he has to get used to being recognized in public.
As the young woman rings up the sunglasses, Fitz spots a silver tiara encrusted with rhinestones in the glass case at the check-out counter.
"May I see this tiara?" Looking at the back of the store where Cena is playing on the slide.
"Of course Mr. Grant", the sales clerk says with a smile, sliding the tiara from the display case and handing it to him.
Fitz twists and turns the tiara, examining the crown from all angles.
"It's so adorable", the clerk gushes.
"I'll take it. And may I have it in a separate box?"
"Of course, sir. I'm sure your daughter is going to love it."
The clerk sets the delicate head piece into the box, places the top on the box, then slides it into the small bag filled with red tissue paper.
"Come on Princess", Fitz calls to his daughter, who is still at the back of the store mesmerized by all of the toys. "We have to go."
Cena skips to the front of the store where her father is waiting and holding two bags in his hands.
"My sunglasses, daddy", looking up at her father with a crinkled brow.
"Got 'em right here", holding up one of the bags. "You can wear them tomorrow."
"Yay", Cena says happily.
XXX
Passing each other as they walk back and forth from the closet to the bedroom, they begin to fill their suitcases with the clothes they will need for their two-week vacation at the new house in the mountains. It is November and the weather has been unseasonably mild for Washington, but it will surely be cooler in the mountains, especially at night.
"You better take a few sweatshirts babe", she says, sliding sweaters from the shelf on her side of the closet, and he nods.
"I don't want to have to pack every time we go up there, Liv. We should leave these clothes so we'll have them the next time we go back."
She nods, thinking that makes sense.
"We can just wash everything and pack them away for our next trip."
"We probably won't need these clothes the next time we go back - it'll be spring", he says, sliding sweaters and sweatshirts from the shelves.
"Over time we'll have enough clothes up there for all seasons. It's going to be a lot of work maintaining two houses - having two or more of everything", bending down to slide a few pair of jeans from the shelf. "I went to see Marla today."
"Of course you did", he says in frustration, pushing pass her and walking into the bedroom with an armful of the bulky clothes.
"Don't be like that", following him into the bedroom and placing her clothes onto the bed. She starts rolling her jeans and sweaters tightly and placing them into her suitcase.
"Why not? You do whatever you damn well please", he says, stuffing clothes into his suitcase. Surprised by his response, she stops rolling the clothes and looks over at him.
"That's not true."
"I asked you not to go see her", looking at her with his face set hard.
"No you didn't. You said you didn't want any parts of it", looking up at his tense face.
"What am I - a stranger? You know what I meant."
"I just needed to see her before we leave tomorrow. She's not progressing as well as the doctors would like", she says sadly, walking into the bathroom to retrieve her toiletries.
"So it wouldn't have mattered what I said", shooting her a look of frustration as he walks into the bathroom to get his toiletries too.
"We're going to have to bring these back home - we don't have extras. I'll buy another set of our soaps and shampoos for the next time", walking over to the shower to get her shampoo and conditioner. "Don't you have extras from when you were traveling?"
"I haven't traveled in a long time, Liv", picking up his shaving items from the counter.
I didn't want her to feel alone, Fitz. She would not have done any less for me if the situation were reversed - and you know it", closing the shower door with her foot.
"The situation wouldn't be reversed because you wouldn't steal from the people you swore to help", stomping back into the bedroom and tossing his shaving cream, priming oil, brush, and razors into the leather valet bag.
"You know she had reasons for what she did", glancing at the worn leather bag and thinking he needs a new suitcase.
"You know how I feel about that", walking over to the dresser to get tee shirts and sweat pants from his drawer.
"I do - I just hoped you would be a bit more understanding - more empathetic - to someone who is having a difficult time."
"So now I'm the bad guy?" Struggling to zip the overstuffed suitcase.
"You have too much in there. You should get your other suitcase", looking at the bulging container; but he ignores her suggestion. "She has done a lot of good, too. You shouldn't judge her whole career because of one mistake."
"One six-year-long mistake. There are going to be some changes made", he mumbles.
"What do you mean?" Turning around and looking at him curiously."
"I have to examine all of her policies to make sure they align with the needs of the people - not just her cronies. Some things might have to be undone."
"That's not how government is supposed to work, Fitz. You don't come in and undo what has been done. You look at what else needs to be done - what other issues need to be addressed."
"One - these aren't normal times - are they?"
And she tries not to roll her eyes.
"And two - it happens all the time, Olivia. What's the point in having different political ideologies if you're just going to continue what the person who came before started?"
"Well you don't have to do what has always been done – what everyone who came before you has done. Be bold. Do something different."
"Does that mean doing exactly what you want?"
He is beginning to get upset about her expectations for him as the new president of the City Council. He knows he should have said something about it to her sooner but he could never find the right time; so much has been going on.
"Maybe you should have run for office."
"What?" Looking at him with widened eyes and mouth hanging open.
"You heard me. If there are certain policies you want implemented then maybe you should have run for the damn office yourself."
"Stop being ridiculous. I wanted you to run because I wanted you to safeguard Marla's good works - add to what she has been doing."
"So that's what they call it now?"
"I wanted you to make a difference in the city."
"Well I'm not Marla – thank god", he mutters under his breath, but loud enough for her to hear.
She ignores his off-handed comment and shakes her head as she watches him struggle with the bulging suitcase. She knows that zipper is going to break if he does not remove some of his clothes. He dislikes having to pack for any kind of trip and hates having to carry more than one suitcase whenever he travels, so he always tries to jam everything into one suitcase.
"Do you actually think I walked away from my company and spent the last eight months of my life running for office just to continue Marla Briggs' good works? You are so blinded by that woman, Olivia, you can't see who she really is- and after everything she has done."
Olivia sighs silently because she really does not want to hear him rail against Marla again.
"She's not who you thought she was or who you needed her to be - you need to get that through your head", he says in exasperation as he tugs at the zipper. "I can't believe with everything you know about her you still want to prance around here trying nominate her for sainthood. Well I won't do it and I'm tired of hearing about her."
He stops pulling on the resistant zipper and glares over at his wife who is rolling the last few items of clothing she needs to pack into her suitcase.
"Do you realize how frustrating it was sitting in that meeting with Wilson yesterday and listening to him go on and on about wanting to have the same special relationship with me that he had with Marla Briggs. Does everybody think I'm their damn puppet?"
"Fitz -"
"I could've fucking puked. It's disgusting how these people have been using city government as their personal bargaining chip. They make deals with special interest groups to enrich themselves - not to help the people who voted them into office."
"At least Marla could relate to the people who voted her into office", she says, placing the rolled up tee shirts into her neatly packed suitcase.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You can't change a thing if there is no empathy, Fitz", she says nonchalantly as she assesses the items in her suitcase.
"Empathy?" Looking at her dumbfounded.
"Maybe your background makes you insensitive to those who've had to struggle - who didn't have your status and opportunities", she says with a shrug of her shoulders.
"What?" Looking at her in disbelief.
"I'm just saying, when you have never had to struggle for anything, it can be difficult to understand the things people do who might not have the same options as you", she says casually as she walks back into the closet.
With brows knitted together and hands now resting on his hips, he stands near the bed waiting for her to exit the closet. She has no idea he has gone from being slightly annoyed about her visiting Marla to now being completely pissed off about her characterization of him.
"What are you talking about?" He asks when she finally walks from the closet carrying his favorite sweat jacket she likes to wear.
"I'm just saying, you've been given opportunities others don't necessarily get. You can't deny that", easily zipping her suitcase closed and pulling it from the bed and onto the floor. "Well, that's done", straightening her back and glancing over at his partially closed suitcase. "You should take some of those close out of your suitcase."
"I don't believe you're saying these things to me. I've worked hard for everything we have."
"I didn't say you haven't worked hard - I'm just saying you've had certain advantages", walking over to her vanity table to check if she has left anything.
"Advantages - what advantages?" His voice now up a full octave.
"Babe - you can't tell me you don't realize how you don't have to struggle like some others in our society", looking down at something on the vanity tray.
"I've had challenges in my life too, Liv. You know that", now way beyond being pissed off.
Hearing the anger in his voice, she turns slowly and is surprised to see how agitated he has become.
"Of course you have. I'm just saying you can't fix a problem if there's no political will, Fitz. And sometimes the will to help others comes from a place of understanding – from having actually walked in another's shoes", shrugging her shoulders and sliding the silver bangle from her wrist and setting it onto the vanity tray. She does not want to risk losing her favorite silver bracelet up in the mountains.
"Just because I don't want to follow in Marla's footsteps doesn't mean I'm not sensitive to the needs of the people who voted for me", finally zippering the suitcase closed and tossing it over by the bedroom door.
"Well, maybe if you stopped spending all of your time bashing Marla and took more time to understand her policies you'd be better able to support those who voted for you", her voicing beginning to rise, too.
"That's why I don't like talking about these things with you."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Folding her arms across her chest and squinting at him from across the room.
"It means whenever we talk about Marla Briggs or politics it ends in an argument – you get too emotional", unfastening the watch from his wrist and tossing it onto the nightstand.
"Well maybe somebody around here needs to get emotional about the people you were elected to serve because you don't seem to care about them."
"Just because I won't gleefully embrace the policies of the inimitable Marla Briggs doesn't mean I'm not sensitive to the people of Springfield Heights, Roosevelt, and Tighlman. You know I care about –"
"You don't get brownie points for being sensitive to the people in those communities just because you're married to a black woman."
He looks at her in disbelief and she looks at him wide-eyed, holding her breath. She knows she has crossed the line, but it is too late. The words are out there and she cannot take them back.
"What. Did. You. Just. Say?" Punctuating each word slowly and deliberately.
"I'm sorry. I didn't -"
"In case you have forgotten", he says through clenched teeth and taking a few steps toward her. "I married a woman who I fell madly in love with. I married Olivia."
"Fitz –"
"And by the way, I was as white back then as I am right now. Not a damn thing has changed in eight years."
Silence hangs over the tension-filled room as they stare into each other's eyes for a long while. And she shudders slightly, feeling awful when, for a split second, she sees a flicker of hurt in his eyes. He shakes his head in disbelief and storms from the room, slamming the door behind him. And Jolie begins to cry.
It was a heat of the moment response and, in her anger, she forgot a basic reality - no matter how angry you get, never say things you will later regret. But, she let her passion about the matter get the better of her and did not stop to think about the rules for fighting fairly. She just wants him to feel as passionately about the social issues as she does. After nursing Jolie back to sleep, she lay the baby back into the crib and rests her hands on the top rails and smiles at the baby girl who looks like her upset father. She dims the lights then goes downstairs to find her husband.
XXX
Olivia walks slowly into the study where Fitz is sitting behind the desk typing on his phone. She hopes he is not telling the world about their fight.
"I'm sorry", she says meekly, wringing her hands.
"Don't you ever question my sensitivity again", tossing the phone onto the desk. "I care - in spite of the color of my skin."
"Fitz …" Walking toward him to clarify and apologize again for her thoughtless comment.
"Don't – not now", putting up his hand to stop her movement.
"Yes - now. We will discuss this now."
With face set hard, he folds his arms cross his chest and glares at her.
"I was wrong to say what I said. What I said is not what I meant to say – is not what I wanted to say."
She rubs the back of her neck because she knows she is rambling, not making herself clear, as he continues to glare at her sternly from across the room. He is not going to let her off the hook so easily this time.
"What I wanted to say – what I was trying to say – being sensitive – being caring - is not enough. Of course you care about the less fortunate - I know your heart. But the underprivileged don't need more of yours or anyone else's caring and understanding."
With lips formed into a straight line, he continues to glare at her as she takes a step toward him.
"The people who live in those marginalized communities have had enough of empathetic, caring, and understanding people. What they need are for those empathetic, caring, and understanding people to act on their behalf – to do something that will make a difference in their lives. Those activists got their issues on your radar, but it will take the will of you and the rest of Council to push legislation through - to back it up with policy. They need you to allocate funds for programs that will help them out of their current situation."
"Well Marla damn sure didn't do that. She and Wilson took and took and left crumbs for the people", he says harshly, unwilling to relent on the Marla matter. But she will not let her obstinate husband draw her back into that argument.
"They need quality schools so their children can have the chance to one day compete with our children, Fitz."
"You injected race, Liv. Everything isn't about race."
"Fitz, race plays a big part in every aspect of life. It's in this country's DNA."
"So are you saying I am insensitive to the plight of the people in Springfield Heights, Roosevelt, and Tighlman because of the color of my skin? Well that's rich."
"All I'm saying is your experiences are different from the people who live in those communities. And because of those differences, it can be difficult to be empathetic to their needs when you're so disconnected from them."
"Liv, your background is more similar to mine than it is to the people who live in those communities, but you still manage to help through your foundation. Empathy in action - isn't that what you always say?"
She looks at him stunned.
"So again, are you saying the color of my skin precludes me from caring – from helping the people in those communities?"
"No – I didn't mean …" She stutters defenselessly.
"Just because you're black doesn't automatically mean you're more empathetic to the plight of those living in underprivileged communities."
She turns her head slightly, looking at him in surprise.
"And - if you haven't noticed - there are a lot of good white people in this world, Olivia."
He smiles inwardly because now he is teasing her and she does not realize it because she is still embarrassed by her words and somewhat hurt by his admonishment. She wraps his oversized sweat jacket around her body and her lips tremble, and he continues his private pleasure because she looks like Cena after she has been reprimanded for doing something wrong. Revealing a slight smile, he extends his hand to her and her eyes travel back and forth from his large hand and his eyes. After a moment or so of contemplating whether she should take the olive branch, she walks over and places her hand in his and he pulls her onto his lap. No matter what, he will never stop loving her, even when she is being unreasonable and annoying. Ashamed of her baseless accusation, she stumbles out another apology, which he accepts quickly and unconditionally.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean –"
"I know", nuzzling his face in her neck.
"Remember, you must listen to what I say, not just hear what I am saying, before you bite off my head."
"I was so upset. You just didn't seem to understand the urgency of the situation."
"Two things" pressing his lips on her temple then running the tip of his nose up and down her cheek. He closes his eyes and inhales deeply, knowing he will never tire of smelling the uniqueness that is her.
"One - you're deflecting."
"I'm not", pulling away in protest to look at his face.
"You are - and you know you are. Now lean back."
"This is about us and no one or anything else. Not the people of Springfield Heights or the people of Tilghman or the people of Roosevelt. No one else."
"Two - our different political beliefs and approaches to solving the problems of the city will not cause fissures in our marriage. We've worked too hard to allow that to happen."
She nods.
"And Liv, you can't try to make your political passions mine - we've already been through that. I get that you're passionate about these issues, but it becomes a problem when your passions spill over to my beliefs. You have to respect my perspective."
"That was three things - not two", smiling at him playfully before pecking him on the lips. "I just get so -"
"Emotional", he chuckles, sliding his hand around her waist and pulling her closer.
"I was going to say energized."
"Change is never easy, Liv. Nor is it quick or cheap."
"I understand - but -"
"But the money isn't there. There isn't enough revenue coming in from the property taxes to pay for everything you want –everything that's needed. You said yourself the city didn't have the money to fund all the projects you hoped to initiate through the foundation."
She looks up at him, surprised he remembers what she said when they were at John and Abby's house.
"When you're responsible for people's lives you have to know that you have the finances to pay for the things they need. Do you want Council to raise taxes on the very people who are already struggling to make ends meet? Because that's the only way all the things you want are going to happen."
She smiles and pecks him on the lips again.
"You're becoming such a public policy wonk babe", he sighs and kisses her on the temple again.
"I can't wait for us to get out of here tomorrow. We've been going at warp speed since before the election. First we had JoJo."
She raises her perfectly arched eyebrow, giving him a look that says she does not recall him pushing out Jolie.
"Well, you did all the work but I was there cheering you on", and she rolls her eyes at the man she loves with all of her heart. "I just want us to relax for a few weeks before things start to get hectic at the Council in January."
Come on, let's go to bed. We have a long day tomorrow", standing from his lap and pulling him onto his feet.
Friday Morning
Marion tosses the small suitcase into the trunk of her car and sets the bag containing Cena Grant's birthday gift next to the designer luggage. She sets the bag with the house-warming gift on the other side and slams the trunk lid shut. Once settled behind the steering wheel of the little red sports car, she immediately reaches for her sunglasses and catches the big smile on her face in the rearview mirror. She is so happy to get away from the city for the weekend, thanks to Olivia Grant. Needless to say, Marion was beyond stunned when Olivia called and invited her to spend the weekend with the Grant family. After all, her behavior at their last meeting surely did not warrant an invitation to Olivia's family event. But thank goodness Olivia Grant is a forgiving woman because Marion was not in the mood to spend another weekend alone.
"Come on, Liv", Fitz yells from the bottom of the staircase. "I want to get up there before next week. You know Cena is going to want to swim in the lake as soon as we get there."
"Coming", she yells from the nursery as she finishes changing Jolie for the third time this morning. Her baby girl has had diarrhea since last night and all she wants to do is poop and sleep.
"JoJo, your daddy is such a yeller. Had I known he was a yeller before we were married maybe I wouldn't have –"
"Olivia, there won't be any point in leaving today if we don't get on the road right now", standing at the bottom of the staircase typing his last tweet for the next two weeks.
Thanx 4 ur support - couldn't have done it w/o you. Taking family 2 mountains 4 2 weeks of fun & relaxation. #NoTwitterNoFB.
"Come on baby girl. Let's get moving before your father blows a gasket", picking up Jolie from the changing table.
As Olivia walks down the stairs she remembers she has forgotten a most important item, so she runs back to their bedroom, snatches open her lingerie drawer, and grabs the red, lace bodysuit. This will give him something to yell about later tonight she thinks as she smiles to herself. She stuffs the lingerie into the diaper bag, grabs Jolie's carrier, and hustles down the stairs before her impatient husband starts yelling again.
"Oliv –", sliding the phone into his pocket.
"I'm right here, Fitz. We're right here. You can stop yelling now. Sheesh."
"What's taking you so long? Cena and I have been waiting in the car for …" He looks down at his watch. "For 15 minutes now." She rolls her eyes because Cena has become a mini Fitz, never wanting to be late for anything.
"JoJo is still battling diarrhea. I've already changed her three times this morning."
"Is she going to be okay for the ride?" Fitz asks with concern as he takes the carrier from his wife's hand.
"She'll be fine - right Miss Jo?" Giving the sleeping baby a sympathetic look. "She's drinking the Pedialyte that Dr. Jordan said to give her. It's just taking a little while to start working."
"You're a real trooper aren't you, Angel?" Fitz coos at his six-month-old daughter.
"Buckle Jolie into her car seat while I grab a few more bottles of Pedialyte from the pantry."
"Don't take too long", he yells, walking out of the front door carrying Jolie.
XXX
The car is packed with everything they will need for two weeks of swimming, playing indoor and outdoor games, and roasting marshmallows and hotdogs around a campfire. After they went to settlement on the house, Olivia and Fitz ordered everything online for their vacation home: furniture, dishes, linens, toys for Cena, including a new bicycle that will remain at the new house. And of course, Fitz just had to buy the monstrosity he calls a grill. Hildie has been up at the new house for the past week to greet the delivery men and organize the house for their stay. Week one will be all about spending time with family and friends to celebrate Cena's fifth birthday and Fitz' election win. The second will week will be just their little family, relaxing and enjoying time together before life gets hectic again.
Fitz straps Jolie into the back seat, across from Cena, who is decked out in the outfit her father helped her to pull together earlier in the morning. Her attire makes her look like the little girl on display in the store window. Fitz even pulled her hair up into a messy bun like the little girl mannequin.
"I'm a real Princess, daddy", Cena smiles brightly as she touches the rhinestone-encrusted tiara he placed atop her head.
He winks at his smiling daughter, walks around the car, and climbs behind the steering wheel. After a few minutes of waiting for his wife, he blows the horn, hoping to hurry her along.
XXX
"I just don't understand why it always takes you so long to get ready", merging the car into the interstate traffic.
"Well, I have a lot to do", she says.
"And I don't? I got Cena dressed this morning and we still had plenty of time to spare", and Olivia rolls her eyes.
"And I had to repack your bag this morning because you wouldn't listen when I told you the zipper was going to break.
"I have to make up time if we're going to get there so Cena can go swimming today. It should be warm enough."
"You can't make up time, babe. There's a lot of traffic this morning", sliding on her Clubmaster sunglasses and leaning back against the soft leather seat for the two-hour drive to their new vacation home.
"The traffic should ease up in about an hour - after we get through the last tunnel."
She nods, fumbling inside the purse for her phone.
"Babe, I've been thinking ..."
"About what?" Focusing on the cars darting around the highway.
"I'm not sure how practical your car is any longer - now that there are four of us."
"What are you talking about?" Quickly glancing over at her in disbelief.
"You should think about trading this car in for something more family oriented – something like a minivan", she says seriously while texting her parents that they are on their way to the new house.
"What?" He shrieks, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "A minivan - are you kidding me?"
"I'm serious, Fitz. You'd have so much more room –"
"I wouldn't be caught dead in one of those boxes. Besides, there's plenty of room in the back for the girls."
"I'm just saying -"
"Why don't you trade in your Q5?" He asks just as seriously.
"No way. I love my SUV. Besides, there's enough room for Cee and JoJo in my ride", pressing the icon to send the message to her parents.
"Well, I love my car too and they have enough room back there", glancing in the rearview mirror where he sees Cena playing on her tablet and Jolie is still sleeping.
"I won't be driving a minivan – ever."
"You should think about it", she says, looking at the traffic jam ahead of them.
"Daaaad-dy, she's sleeping again. JoJo is sleeping again", Cena yells.
"Well she won't be sleeping much longer Princess if you keep yelling."
"Don't worry about JoJo babe, you know she can sleep through almost anything."
"Mommy, look at my sunglasses", Cena yells, twisting and turning in her seat. When Olivia turns around she does not know what to look at first; the outfit, the sunglasses, or the tiara.
"Oh my god", she exclaims with eyes the size of meatballs.
"I have sunglasses - just like daddy, and a tee ..." She looks in the rearview mirror at her father so he can help her with the word.
"Tiara, Princess", glancing in the rearview mirror at his daughter's happy face. Cena smiles at her mother, nodding her head up and down.
"Did you lose the heart-shaped glasses I bought you?" Still trying to absorb the sight of her daughter.
"No. I wanted a pair just like daddy's", she says in a sing-song voice.
"You bought her aviators just like yours?" Olivia asks, looking at her husband's profile as he inches the car along in the bumper-to-bumper traffic.
"Yup", looking straight ahead and not bothering to offer more of an explanation.
"And a tiara?"
"Yup."
"Sheesh."
Olivia looks at her smiling daughter one last time, wondering how much all of that stuff cost, before turning on the radio.
Breaking News
Mayor Theodore Wilson has been indicted by a grand jury on racketeering charges. The 15-page indictment accuses the mayor and two associates of devising a series of schemes ranging from conspiracy involving bribery and concealment of unlawful campaign contributions to advance their own personal interests.
"I'll stand by my previous statement, I have never been involved in any wrongdoings, any unlawful activity, or any misappropriation of state or local funds. I am not a crook", Wilson said before climbing into the back of the city-issued Town Car.
He finally got his due", Olivia says while reaching to turn off the radio, and Fitz nods. They ride in silence for a while, each thinking about the continuing fall-out from the scandal.
"I spoke with Hildie before we left. She says all of the furniture has been delivered and is all set up. She sounds excited that we'll be arriving today. She also said to congratulate you on winning the election."
"Hildie and excited, somehow those two words don't seem to go together", Fitz says with a chuckle.
"The house looks wonderful from the online videos. I just can't wait to see what it looks like in person - with all of our stuff in it."
"I'm sure Hildie has done a terrific job. Joan came through again", he says with a nod.
"Do you remember our first sunset together?" Smiling as she slides her hand across the console and caressing his hand resting on the gear shift.
"I do. That was back when I was trying to impress you."
"So you mean you didn't like watching the sunsets?"
"That's not what I said at all. I said I was trying to impress you."
"So you no longer try to impress me?"
"I didn't say that either", focusing on the highway now that they have gotten through the traffic jam.
"Then what are you - Cena look", Olivia yells, pointing to the huge, white mountain goat perched high on one of the rock formations.
"Wow, he's pretty mommy", she says in awe.
"Pull over Fitz so Cena can get a closer look at the goats."
Fitz pulls the car over to the side of the road and they get out so Olivia can take pictures of the stately goat peering down at them.
"There are few baby goats up there behind that big rock", Olivia says, pointing up at the goats feeding on the grass jutting through the cracks in the granite.
"Stand in front of the mountain babe so I can take your picture with the goats."
"Should I get Jo?"
"No, let her sleep. By the time you get her out of the car seat the goats will be gone."
Fitz lifts Cena and sets her onto his shoulders as Olivia prepares to take their picture.
"Smile. No – no. Wait - wait", rushing over and straightening the tiara on Cena's head. "Now say cheeeese."
"Cheeeeese", father and daughter say in unison while making silly faces at the camera.
"We better get going if we want to swim in the lake today", setting Cena onto the ground after Olivia snaps a few more pictures.
Fitz buckles Cena into her car seat and climbs behind the steering wheel as Olivia slides back into the passenger seat.
"That was a nice surprise", smiling as she scrolls through the pictures on her phone.
"I want a goat daddy", Cena yells.
"I thought you wanted a dog", winking at Olivia.
"I want a goat and a dog", kicking the back of her father's seat as she plays on the tablet.
XXX
"Time for road trip songs", Fitz says, enjoying the hum of the Turbocharged engine moving the car up the mountain.
"Yay", Cena squeals.
"Let the top down, Fitz. It's such a nice day."
He presses the button to retract the roof and begins to sing one of his childhood songs as he guides the car around the switchback road, ascending the mountain.
"We'll be coming around the mountain when she comes", Fitz begins.
"We'll be coming around the mountain when she comes."
Cena joins in, yelling the same verse.
We'll be coming around the mountain, we'll be coming around the mountain, we'll be coming around the mountain -"
Olivia looks between the two as if they have lost their minds.
"Are you kidding me?" Looking at her husband in disbelief.
"What?"
"Who sings that song any more, Fitz? It's so old."
"We do - right Cee?"
"Right, daddy."
As Cena begins to sing again, Olivia frowns and looks out of her window at the beautiful scenery. After a few more minutes of being tortured by her husband and daughter singing the outdated song, Olivia is unable to take it any longer, so she presses the icon on the phone to start her newest playlist. Prince's Let's Go Crazy begins. With the convertible top down, Olivia and Fitz sing off key at top of their lungs as he snakes the car up the mountain highway. The young couple in the car next to them give a thumbs up when Olivia turns up the volume as When Doves Cry starts to play.
"Prince really made some good music, babe."
"Yes he did", Fitz says sadly, and Jolie stirs a little as Jill Scott's Can't Wait begins to play. Olivia smiles, bobbing her head to the pulsating beat.
There's something on my back
That I need to get off baby
The world's been nuts
Just the other day
I had to reprimand a grown-up
Who am I to act this way
But sugar I'm the boss lady
Busy handling and managing
But oh
When I get next to you baby (hey)-
Ain't nobody gonna be there
But me and you, you, you, you
I can't wait baby
(Can't wait to be loved by you)
I've been working so hard and so long
"Daaaad-dy", Cena yells, kicking the back of his seat again.
"How long is this yelling phase going to last?" Glancing over at his wife who simply shrugs her shoulders thinking she has been wondering for the last six years how long his yelling phase was going to last.
"Mommy says she's the boss lady", Cena yells again, and Olivia bursts out laughing before turning around and looking at her giggling daughter.
"Cena, don't repeat everything you hear."
"She certainly is, Princess. She certainly is", bobbing his head to the beat.
"You have a nice mix of music this time, Liv."
"What do you mean this time? I always have good music."
"You don't have to get so testy", reaching across the console and intertwining their hands.
"Do you want to shift?"
"I'm not getting testy. My music is always better than yours. Right, Cee?"
"I like daddy's songs", she says, bouncing in her seat. Olivia scowls at her husband and he smiles, continuing to bob his head to the music.
"She is such a daddy's girl", sliding her hand onto the gear shift.
"Cena is special to me, Liv. I love JoJo with all of my heart, but Cena will always hold a special place in my heart."
"Aww babe, you're getting misty-eyed – just like when we bought her home."
"She's my firstborn – my Princess, Liv."
He glances in the rearview mirror at his Princess playing happily on her tablet.
"Cena, put your seatbelt back on", he says sternly.
"And she has become a little you too, babe. You know she's going to sulk because you yelled at her."
"Shift", he says and Olivia pushes the car into the next gear.
"Do you remember the first time I tried to teach you how to drive a stick shift?" Chuckling at the memory.
"I don't want to talk about that", she says flatly, looking straight ahead.
"You finally got the hang of it. Shift", he directs again, and Olivia pushes the gear shift as Fitz presses the gas pedal, easily guiding the powerful car up the mountain. "Switchback roads make it so much easier to drive up these mountains", he says as the car weaves back and forth along the road.
"I just love it up here, babe. It's so serene", admiring the spire mountains to her right. This is truly god's country."
He nods, focusing on the road ahead.
"How much longer before we get to the house?"
"Another hour. When we get through the last tunnel we'll be about a half-hour away."
"I love the old tunnels", she says, smiling as he approaches the first tunnel. Fitz stops the car a few feet from the mouth of the tunnel and blows the horn.
"Why are you blowing the horn?" Looking at him strangely.
"To alert a driver at the opposite end that we are about to enter. These tunnels are only one-lane-wide -very narrow - so only one car can go through at a time. If a car is already in the tunnel they will blow their horn twice, and we'll have to wait for them to exit. The cars at the opposite end have to wait until we come through before they can enter. Everybody knows that, Liv."
"Well I didn't."
Fitz slowly enters the tunnel and the granite walls cast a shadow over the car.
"There isn't much room in here for error", he says, creeping along at the designated five-mile-an-hour speed limit.
"There's no more than three inches clearance on either side. I can reach out and touch the walls", sticking her hand out the window and touching the cool granite.
"It's like threading a needle", he says, concentrating on navigating the car through narrow space.
"I'm scared, daddy", Cena yells.
"We'll be out of the tunnel soon, sweetheart."
"I don't like the tunnel, daddy. It's too scary."
"There's only one more after this one Princess", exiting the tunnel and waving to the cars waiting in line to enter.
"Yay", Cena squeals.
"I have a special gift for you tonight, Mr. President", winking at him with a smile as she thinks about the red bodysuit she stuck into Jolie's diaper bag. And he smiles in anticipation as Boyz II Men End of the Road starts to play.
"I like this song", Fitz says, placing his hand over hers that is resting on the gear shift.
"Cee, are you excited about your birthday party tomorrow?"
"Yes, mommy. I want lots and lots and lots of cake."
"Well you have to share it with your guests - your grandparents, uncles John and Bennie -
"And Asha and Deon and Tiffany and Keenan and Timmy."
"Then you'll open all of your presents."
"Lots and lots and lots of presents", kicking the back of her father's seat again.
"No kicking, Princess."
"The van is scheduled to bring Cena's friends and parents up by noon tomorrow", she says.
"That was a good idea to hire a driver. I'm sure the parents weren't too thrilled about the prospect of making the two-hour drive up here."
XXX
Fitz down shifts, slowing the car as he approaches the entrance to the second tunnel. He stops the car and blows the horn, and someone in the tunnel blows their horn two times. When the car finally exits the tunnel, the smiling man waves and Olivia and Fitz smile and wave back at the man and his family.
"Our turn", Fitz says, shifting the car into first gear, slowly accelerating to the speed limit of five miles per hour as they enter the tunnel.
"I can't see daddy", Cena yells.
"Take off your sunglasses Cena", Olivia says.
"We'll be through in a few minutes, Princess. This one is a little longer."
"I'm hungry daddy."
"We'll get something to eat soon – when we get to the house."
"I want a hot dog. And I want to swim", kicking the back of her father's seat again.
"It smells like Jolie is going to need some water too when we get to the house", Fitz says, frowning at the familiar odor", as he slowly creeps the car through the granite passageway.
"That diarrhea has really gotten the best of Miss Jo", Olivia says. "She's been asleep for the entire ride."
"What the hell?" Fitz yells, pressing on the horn when he sees the headlights closing in on them.
"Oh my god", Olivia screams in panic, shielding her eyes from the blinding lights illuminating the tunnel.
Fitz continues to press hard on the horn, trying to alert the driver to back out of the tunnel, but the truck continues to advance forward at a high rate of speed. Fitz quickly shifts the car into reverse and presses the gas pedal, and the roar of the BMW's powerful engine reverberates against the granite walls as the car sails backwards.
"I'm scared, mommy", Cena cries, tears streaming from under her aviator sunglasses as she watches the huge truck barrel toward them.
"Hold on tight baby. Just hold on tight", Olivia says, her voice laced with fear.
Olivia glances over at her stone-faced husband as he moves the car backward and away the oncoming truck. The runaway truck is mere feet away and Olivia can see its huge front tires and the shiny, chrome grill as Fitz tries to outrun the unrelenting truck. Cena's tiara falls from her head as she screams, watching the monster truck get closer and closer.
"Oh my god, they're speeding up", Olivia screams in horror, glancing in the back at her daughters. "They're trying to kill us, Fitz. Dear god, they're trying to kill us."
The two engines growl and roar, one driver taunting and pursuing while the other retreats, trying to save his family. Summoning everything within him, Fitz pushes the gas pedal to the floor and the engine growls louder and the high-performance tires screech on the unpaved surface, sending dust and debris swirling around the tunnel and into the car. As the car travels backward at full throttle, he prays another car is not entering the tunnel.
Exiting the tunnel at full speed, Fitz hits the brake pedal hard, bringing the car to a complete stop. With panic in their eyes, he and Olivia look at each other wondering what the hell just happened. And in a blink of an eye, the truck shoots from the tunnel like a missile from its launch pad. With eyes bulging and heart pounding like a jackhammer, Fitz quickly shifts into first gear, pressing his foot down hard onto the gas pedal as the truck barrels toward them like an out-of-control freight train. He swerves the car to the right, into the side of the mountain, and two tons of steel crash through the windshield before finally coming to a stop on the hood of the convertible.
All of the airbags have deployed and Olivia is trapped, unable to move, and the foul odor of burning rubber curdles her stomach and she wants to vomit. She has the worst headache ever and the blaring horns are not helping matters. As she struggles to extricate herself from the seatbelt, she hears Jolie screaming over the horns and Cena crying out for her father. Olivia looks frantically over to her husband for help, but sees him slumped back against the seat with blood trickling from his forehead and mouth. The truck's massive front wheels have crashed through the windshield and are pressed against his chest. And she begins to cry because her family needs her but she is unable to move. And suddenly, everything goes dark.